Charge Syndrome

Dandy-Walker Syndrome is a congenital brain malformation involving the cerebellum (an area at the back of the brain that controls movement) and the fluid filled spaces around it.

Sharing science to improve understanding

The people who use the Communication Matrix – professionals and family members – contribute valuable information to our database. We use this anonymous data to learn more about communication skills in various populations of people with severe communication disorders. Together, we develop a new and more complete understanding of how these people communicate. This is where we share that information with the world

You are about to TRY the Matrix Assessment tool.

Your information is private.

The information you enter in the assessment is completely secure and
cannot be identified. When you use this free service, we ask you to provide
some very basic information about the individual you are assessing
(gender, age, ethnic background, country of residence, disability and specific
impairments) and your relationship to that person. However, we
have no way of indentifying who has used this service.

Teachers:

Many teachers require their college students in communication disorders
or child development classes to complete a Communication Matrix
online. Please have your students use the Test Drive site for this
purpose. You may ask them to print out the Profile and Communication
Skills List as proof of their work.

How you want us to refer to the person you are assessing:

Statement A

My child doesn't seem to have real control over his body yet.

The only way I know that he wants something is because he fusses or whines when he's unhappy or uncomfortable, and he smiles, makes noises or calms down when he's happy and comfortable. Does this statement describe your child?

Statement B

My child has control over her own behaviors, but she doesn't use them to try to communicate to me.

She doesn't come to me to let me know what she wants, but it's easy for me to figure out, because she tries to do things for herself. She knows what she wants, and her behavior shows me what she wants. If she runs out of something to eat, she will just try to get more, rather than trying to get me to give her more.

How to score your child

Each question you will see is related to a certain message that
your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors.
Read the question and decide whether your child is able to
express the message described using any of the listed behaviors.
If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child
has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an
emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next
to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the
following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or
emerging

Mastered

– Does this independently most of the time when the opportunity arises– Does this in a number of dierent contexts, and with dierent people

Emerging

– Does this inconsistently
–
Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.

Tips on Communication Devices

Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors.Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors.If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging